Report Turnaround Time: Approximately 7–10 working days
Sample Type: Blood
Eligibility: Individuals aged 5 or above. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during the test.
Test Items Include:
Glucose, Fasting
Insulin, Fasting
*Fasting for at least 8 hours is required prior to the test*
Why Should You Take the Insulin Resistance Test?
Testing for insulin resistance provides several benefits:
Early Detection:
Identifying insulin resistance before it worsens allows for timely interventions to prevent type 2 diabetes and related complications.
Personalized Health Management:
Understanding one’s insulin sensitivity helps guide lifestyle and dietary adjustments to improve metabolic health.
Risk Assessment:
Early detection enables individuals to assess their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders, facilitating proactive health management.
Who Should Take This Test?
The following individuals are advised to consider insulin resistance testing:
Overweight or Obese Individuals:
Excess body fat, particularly in the abdominal area, is strongly associated with insulin resistance.
Physically Inactive Individuals:
A sedentary lifestyle reduces insulin sensitivity.
Those with a Family History of Diabetes:
A family history of type 2 diabetes increases the risk of insulin resistance.
PCOS Patients:
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often experience insulin resistance.
Individuals with High Blood Pressure or Abnormal Cholesterol Levels:
These conditions are linked to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
What is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, playing a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels. Its primary function is to facilitate the absorption of glucose from the bloodstream into cells for energy production or storage for future use.
Key Functions of Insulin:
Facilitates Glucose Absorption by Cells:
When we consume food, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and enter the bloodstream. Insulin binds to receptors on the cell surface, enabling glucose uptake for energy production.
Promotes Energy Storage:
If glucose is not immediately needed for energy, insulin signals the liver to convert excess glucose into glycogen for storage or into fat for future energy needs.
Influences Fat and Protein Metabolism:
Insulin regulates not only glucose metabolism but also plays a role in lipid and protein metabolism, promoting cell growth and repair.
Insulin and Health
When insulin functions properly, blood glucose levels remain stable. However, insufficient insulin production or cellular resistance to insulin can lead to health complications:
Insulin Resistance: Cells respond poorly to insulin, preventing glucose from entering efficiently, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
Diabetes:Severe insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production can progress to diabetes, impacting overall health.
What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistanceoccurs when the body’s cells—especially in muscles, fat, and the liver—do not respond effectively to insulin. As a result, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels.
Over time, this increased demand may lead to pancreatic exhaustion, eventually causing elevated blood sugar levels and potentially progressing to type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and PCOS.
Symptoms of Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance often presents no noticeable symptoms in its early stages.However, as it progresses and affects glucose regulation, certain symptoms may appear:
Common Symptoms:
Tiredness and fatigue:
Cells are unable to effectively absorb glucose for energy, leading to persistent fatigue, particularly after meals.
Increased Hunger:
Insulin resistance can cause unstable blood sugar levels, leading to frequent hunger and cravings even after eating.
Weight Gain, Especially Belly Fat
Insulin resistance is closely linked to metabolic disorders and often results in excess abdominal fat, leading to an “apple-shaped” body.
Acanthosis Nigricans:
A skin condition characterized by dark, thickened patches, commonly appearing on the armpits, neck, elbows, or knuckles, often associated with insulin resistance.
High Blood Sugar-Related Symptoms:
Being very thirsty
Frequent urination (peeing)
Dry and itchy skin
Slow wound healing
Blurred vision
Potential Severe Health Impacts:
Metabolic Syndrome: A cluster of conditions, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol levels, and central obesity, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Type 2 Diabetes: Uncontrolled insulin resistance can develop into type 2 diabetes, impacting overall health.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Many women with PCOS exhibit insulin resistance, leading to irregular menstruation, infertility, or hormonal imbalances.
Case Statistics in Hong Kong, the U.S., and the U.K.
Although specific epidemiological data on insulin resistance is limited, it is closely associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which are prevalent in these regions.
Hong Kong:
According to the Hong Kong Department of Health’s Centre for Health Protection (2024), data from the 2020-2022 Population Health Survey on individuals aged 15-84 revealed the following metabolic disorder prevalence rates:
Central Obesity: 37.8%
Elevated Blood Pressure / Hypertension: 29.5%
Elevated Blood Glucose / Diabetes: 8.5%
High Cholesterol Levels / Hypercholesterolemia: 51.9%
Type 2 Diabetes Prevalence: The CDC report indicates that over 38 million adults in the United States have type 2 diabetes, with a concentration of cases among individuals aged 45 and older.
Lean Proteins:Fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and dairy provide stable energy and prevent blood sugar spikes.
Healthy Fats:Nuts, avocados, olive oil, flaxseeds, and fatty fish reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.
Low Glycemic Index (GI) Foods:Quinoa, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, and berries help prevent glucose surges.
✗ Foods to Avoid:
Refined Carbohydrates:White bread, white rice, pastries, and sugary snacks rapidly increase blood sugar levels.
Sugary Drinks and Processed Foods: Soda, fruit juices, and processed snacks cause blood sugar fluctuations.
Trans Fats and Processed Foods:Fried foods, fast food, and heavily processed meals promote inflammation and worsen insulin resistance.
Increase Physical Activity
Exercise significantly improves insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation.
Aerobic Exercise: Brisk walking, running, swimming, or jump rope—aim for at least 150 minutes per week.
Strength Training: Weightlifting, squats, and push-ups help build muscle, enhancing insulin sensitivity.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Short bursts of intense exercise effectively combat insulin resistance and reduce fat.
Manage Weight
Abdominal fat is a key contributor to insulin resistance. Studies suggest that reducing 5-10% of body weight significantly enhances insulin sensitivity.
Improve Sleep Quality
Sleep deprivation disrupts hormone regulation, lowers insulin sensitivity, and increases the risk of diabetes.
Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Smoking worsens insulin resistance, while excessive alcohol intake disrupts glucose control.
Reduce Sedentary Behavior:Stand up and move around every hour to boost metabolism.
Conclusion
Improving insulin resistance requires a holistic lifestyle approach, including a healthy diet, regular exercise, weight management, quality sleep, stress reduction, and avoiding harmful habits. These measures enhance insulin sensitivity, improve overall health, and lower the risk of diabetes and metabolic disorders.
